4 When evening slumbers press my eyes,
With his protection blessed,
In peace and safety I commit
My wearied limbs to rest.
5 My spirit, in his hand secure,
Fears no approaching ill;
For, whether waking or asleep,
Thou, Lord, art with me still.

674

L. M.

Morning.

BISHOP KENN.

1 AWAKE, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;

Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

2 Thy precious time, misspent, redeem;
Each present day thy last esteem;
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

3 In conversation be sincere ;

Keep conscience, as the noontide, clear;
Think how the all-seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

4 Lord, I my vows to thee renew;
Scatter my sins like morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with thyself my spirit fill.

5 Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,

That all my powers, with all their might, In thy sole glory may unite.

1 IN sleep's serene oblivion laid,
I safely passed the silent night;
Again I see the breaking shade,

HAWKESWORth.

I drink again the morning light.
2 New-born, I bless the waking hour ;

Once more, with awe, rejoice to be;
My conscious soul resumes her power,
And springs, my guardian God, to thee.
3 O, guide me through the various maze

My doubtful feet are doomed to tread,
And spread thy shield's protecting blaze
Where dangers press around my head.
4 A deeper shade shall soon impend,
A deeper sleep my eyes oppress;
Yet then thy strength shall still defend,
Thy goodness still delight to bless.
5 That deeper shade shall break away;
That deeper sleep shall leave my eyes;
Thy light shall give eternal day;
Thy love, the rapture of the skies.

676

L. M.

Morning.

KEBLE.

1 O, TIMELY happy, timely wise,
Hearts that with rising morn arise,
Eyes that the beam celestial view,
Which evermore makes all things new!

2 New every morning is the love Our waking and uprising prove;

Through sleep and darkness safely brought, Restored to life, and power, and thought. 3 New mercies, each returning day, Hover around us while we pray;

New perils past, new sins forgiven,

New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven,
4 If, on our daily course, our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.

5 O, could we learn that sacrifice,
What lights would all around us rise!
How would our hearts with wisdom talk,
Along life's dullest, dreariest walk!

-

6 The trivial round, the common task,
Would furnish all we ought to ask
Room to deny ourselves a road
To bring us, daily, nearer God.

677

L. M.

A Morning Hymn.

WATTS.

1 GOD of the morning, at whose voice The cheerful sun makes haste to rise, And like a giant doth rejoice

To run his journey through the skies. 2 From the fair chambers of the east, The circuit of his race begins,

And, without weariness or rest,

Round the whole earth he flies and shines.

3 0, like the sun may I fulfil

The appointed duties of the day, With ready mind and active will

March on and keep my heavenly way.

4 Lord, thy commands are clean and pure,
Enlightening our beclouded eyes,

Thy threatenings just, thy promise sure,
Thy gospel makes the simple wise.

678

C. M.

WATTS.

An Evening Psalm. Ps. 4.

1 LORD, thou wilt hear me when I pray; I am forever thine;

I fear before thee all the day,

Nor would I dare to sin.

2 And while I rest my weary head,
From cares and business free,
"Tis sweet conversing on my bed
With my own heart and thee.

3 I pay this evening sacrifice;

And when my work is done,
Great God, my faith and hope relies
Upon thy grace alone.

4 Thus, with my thoughts composed to peace, I'll give my eyes to sleep;

Thy hand in safety keeps my days,
And will my slumbers keep.

1 INTERVAL of grateful shade,
Welcome to my weary head;
Welcome, slumbers, to mine eyes,
Tired with glaring vanities.

2 My great Master still allows
Needful periods of repose;

By my heavenly Father blessed,
Thus I give my powers to rest.
3 Heavenly Father! gracious name!
Night and day his love the same;
Far be each suspicious thought,
Every anxious care forgot.

4 Thou, my ever-bounteous God,
Crown'st my days with various good;
Thy kind eye, that cannot sleep,
These defenceless hours shall keep.

5 Blest vicissitude to me!

Day and night I'm still with thee;
Guarded thus I sink to rest,

Folded in a Father's breast.

680

7s M.

In the Night Watches.

DODDRIDGE.

1 WHAT though downy slumbers flee,
Strangers to my couch and me?
Sleepless well I know to rest,
Lodged within my Father's breast.